A single sentence instantly caused the general manager's mental defenses to crumble, his face twisted: "You, how could you..."
The people of the Lin Family hadn't managed the company for quite some time; he reigned supreme, wielding great power and seizing the opportunity to amass a substantial fortune.
However, he had always done so covertly, the superficial accounts showing no problems whatsoever.
Within just an hour, how could Ye Wanlan have uncovered everything so thoroughly?
Could she possibly have foreseen this?
Fear detonated in the general manager's heart, and his knees were already going weak.
He knew what economic crime meant; he would bear the burden of a criminal case, face trial in court, and his descendants might even be barred from taking public examinations!
"No, Chairman, listen to me!" The general manager forced himself to calm down, making a placating smile at the computer, "This must be some misunderstanding. How could I possibly do such a thing, I..."
Ye Wanlan didn't pay him any attention and continued speaking, "I expect you to move out of the company by today, so as not to occupy others' positions. Those who want to resign can come to me in person, otherwise continue working. I want to see your work reports first thing tomorrow morning and salaries will be paid at the end of each month as usual. Meeting adjourned."
By the 9th time the timeline had reset, she already had control over all the employee information of Huiteng Company.
Her company did not need people who illegally possessed company assets; this joint letter of resignation was exactly to her liking.
Ye Wanlan pressed the Enter key once more, and all the computers returned to normal.
Yet, a prolonged silence haunted the various offices, with many people thrown into a panic.
"Brother Li, she... she really fired us, what do we do? I can't afford to lose this job!"
"Dismissing so many people at once, how is the company supposed to make money? She must be out of her mind!"
The employees who had signed the joint resignation letter all shared the same thought—
In order to keep the company running smoothly, Ye Wanlan absolutely wouldn't dare to fire so many people. And yet, she did the unexpected.
Voluntary resignation and forced termination are different; the former doesn't entitle you to any compensation, to say nothing of the fact that they had colluded with the general manager and were at fault.
Those who were publicly named felt lost, the emotion known as "regret" coldly sweeping through their limbs like a frigid tide, leaving them gasping for air.
The staff sat at their desks, lost, a common thought uniting them—
If they hadn't signed the joint letter of resignation, they might have been able to stay.
But now, what were they to do?
**
"Sister Lan, you are absolutely fantastic!"
Inside the Chairman's office, Cheng Qingli couldn't help but applaud after witnessing a great drama unfold.
"Chairman Ye, you are very different from the rumors," Director Liu of the marketing department said with genuine respect, "Under your leadership, our company will definitely secure a place in Jiangcheng's apparel industry."
She was one of the few who hadn't signed the joint resignation letter.
At first, she didn't trust Ye Wanlan either; an 18-year-old girl seemed unlikely to lead the entire company.
But Ye Wanlan, with a lightning strike, dealt with all those who had muddied the waters within just an hour, earning her heartfelt respect.
"No, Director Liu." Ye Wanlan raised an eyebrow, her smile faint, "Not Jiangcheng, nor just the apparel industry, but the cultural fields of the entire world."
The great battle three hundred years ago had led to the fall of Huaxia culture, with heritage lost.
But she was determined to make Shenzhou soar up once again and reclaim its position as number one in the world.
Director Liu was shocked and couldn't help but be surprised, "You..."
"My ambition is great." Ye Wanlan patted her shoulder, "Follow me, and together we will witness the future."
These words made Director Liu's heart tremble uncontrollably, her palms heating up. She nodded seriously, "Okay!"
"There's still a lot of work to do, inform the HR director to start hiring and rebuild the company team." Ye Wanlan said, "The company is going to move, also it needs to change its name. Qingli, you will manage it."
Cheng Qingli agreed one by one, "Okay, so what should we change it to?"
Ye Wanlan looked towards the perfect sunlight outside the window and smiled slightly, "Pulling the Sky."
When the heavens are falling, the wish to pull them back is undeniable.
**
On the other side, Lin Family Old House.
Madam Lin had just returned from a walk in the garden, and as she handed her coat to Steward Lin, she received a public telephone number.
She frowned at it for a few seconds, but still pressed the answering button, "Hello?"
"Madam, save me, please save me!" The general manager in front of the phone booth was pale as paper, quickly recounting the morning's events, "The new chairman accused me of economic crime and wants to put me away. I've given you quite a bit of money every month, you absolutely can't leave me to die!"
"She is from the Lin Family, and also your niece; surely, you must have a way to save me. I beg you to speak well of me in front of her, please give me a way out!"
The charge of economic crime had left the general manager with no way out.
He began to regret why he had shown Ye Wanlan a display of power by uniting with other employees to sign resignation letters.
If he had been cautious, even if he had been dismissed, he wouldn't have ended up facing a lawsuit.
"What are you talking about?" Madam Lin's expression didn't change, "What does your economic crime have to do with me? You should be looking for a lawyer. If needed, I can help you get in touch with one."
She did not give the general manager time to argue and hung up the phone with a cold laugh.
Lin Qingwen asked, "What happened?"
"It's all because of Ye Wanlan." Madam Lin hummed lightly, "I have underestimated her. She barely arrived at the company and has already shown everyone her power, banking on having the elderly madam backing her up, and firing thirty-seven people. Quite the tactic indeed."
Lin Qingwen was surprised, "Has she gone mad? Firing so many people, what use is the company now?"
"Who knows?" Madam Lin's eyes held a mocking look, "She's just a brash calf, all bravery and no skill. I wonder to which man she will cry when she has eventually ruined the company completely."
Lin Qingwen shook his head with a smile, "She really is like my elder brother."
"Your elder brother?" Madam Lin was stunned.
She had been married into the Lin family for twenty years, and if she had not accidentally heard the name "Lin Jiayan", she would have thought Lin Weilan had only three children.
Lin Qingwen rarely spoke of this elder brother, and Madam Lin was quite curious about Lin Jiayan.
"It's nothing, just as you said, all bravery with no ability," Lin Qingwen said, "He left home years ago to make something of himself and hasn't returned since. It's unknown whether he is dead or just too afraid to show up."
Madam Lin, hearing this, did not inquire further, "But out of kind-heartedness, I still should give her a warning."
Saying so, she dialed the chairman's office telephone number.
"Hello." The girl's voice was as cold as snow.
"It's me, your second aunt." Madam Lin got straight to the point, "Ye Wanlan, I understand a new official must show their authority with some decisive actions, and you also want to achieve some results for your grandmother, but today you fired thirty-seven people, including key company staff. Do you think that's the right thing to do?"